“Very good,” said D’Artagnan; “and now in what direction did they set out?”
“That I am forbidden to tell.”
D’Artagnan drew from his pocket a paper. “Order of the king,” he said.
“Speak to the governor, then.”
“And where is the governor?”
“In the country.”
Anger mounted to D’Artagnan’s face; he frowned and his cheeks were colored.
“Ah, you scoundrel!” he said to the sergeant, “I believe you are impudent to me! Wait!”
He unfolded the paper, presented it to the sergeant with one hand and with the other took a pistol from his holsters and cocked it.
“Order of the king, I tell you. Read and answer, or I will blow out your brains!”